Mission Accomplished {30x30}: Run a Half Marathon

Last Saturday was the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon. And I finished it! I have a medal and everything to prove it!

Signing up for this race prompted me to start running. Back in January when I signed up, I figured I’d better practice getting my ass off the couch and moving in a forward direction before I had to do it for 13.1 miles all at a time. So I did. Training went well for awhile and I got up to about 7 miles before my training took an abrupt halt (quitting my job, getting a new job, having to take the bus and walk 1.75 miles to/from work everyday and getting home past 8pm really doesn’t inspire one to then go run 6+ training miles, yada yada).

Anyway - in true Spence family style, we made team shirts (No Spence left behind) and the whole fam came to town in support. Both my sisters (+one boyfriend) even came ready to race alongside me, which was a bonus. They didn’t run their race, they ran mine.  Having my sisters there to support me, to document the journey, to teach me about gu, to tell me to take shorter strides, to convince me that i should port-a-potty before we start, to make me laugh, to slap my ass, and ultimately keep me motivated and moving in a forward direction for 13.1 miles was really one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me.

The first 5 miles flew by and while I walked a bit more than I wanted, I enjoyed the run. The people, the music, the energy was all awesome. Mile 6 and 7 were like the longest miles of my life and after the first 5 just few by I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why they weren’t doing the same. It occurs to me now that during training, I never made it (consistently) for more than 6.5 miles - most of my runs were around 4-5 miles (since I skipped out of the last 2 months of consistent training/mileage building - okay yeah bad idea - i know). Running along Lake Washington along Seward Park was so beautiful and we even saw two bald eagles, one of which swooped down and caught a fish. We ran through a memorial stretch lined with American flags and photos of soldiers who’d been killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. It was all I could to do maintain my composure and keep moving forward. My iPhone died at mile 9 (wtf?) so the last 4 miles were without my little Nike+ woman telling me how much further I had to go (tragic). Good thing I had my sisters to mileage check and serenade me between mile markers/bands. Running through the I-90 tunnel was pretty awesome and the downhill stretch into Seattle was long but beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for better weather, better sisters or a better way to accomplish such a feat. 

3 hours and 20 minutes after we started, praise the Lord, we finished. I will run another. Maybe even another one this year. But next up, a 200 mile Ragnar relay race from Canada to the south tip of Whidbey Island. It’s next month (July 22) and I can’t wait to be stuck in a sweaty van for 2 days with 5 of my closest friends while we and 6 other crazy people relay 200 miles. 

So, I’m halfway through my 29th year and I’m slowly but surely marking things off my {30x30} list. Run a half marathon — done.

back in the habit

5/31 MILEAGE: 2mi, 12 min pace probably… and a PR for the mile

ROUTE: Apt down 68th to State Street, down a ways, down to the waterfront, up the huge hill on 5th, back along State, back up 68th and back to apt

Hello my name is Carey and it’s been 30 days since my last run. I know, I know. I think it’s been mostly mental, but I’ve had a lot of excuses work-wise, allergy wise, etc. Busted out 2 miles though. And a new personal best for the mile. Yes it was all downhill, but it matters not. In 24 days I will run a half marathon. It would be great if it was almost entirely downhilll. Who do I talk to about making that happen?

T-25 days

I’ve been in a state of neglect lately. I’ve neglected my blog, I’ve neglected my training, I’ve neglected my body. In 25 days I will run my first half marathon and I haven’t run since May 1. Here’s what’s been up since then:

  • i quit my job
  • i got a new job
  • i started my new job
  • dog got sick
  • dog got better
  • i walk 2 miles a day to/from bus/work
  • i take the bus
  • i got sick
  • i got better

a lot has happened, yes. And to say that I’ve let my training lax while life has been happening is completely a true statement. Since I’m finally able to breathe again (as in my head isn’t congested anymore), I’ll be running this evening. I am back on track. I will make in 13.1 miles in t-25 days. My sisters by my side. This will happen.

(the body believes what the mind tells it)

5/1 MILEAGE: 6.94 mi, 15 min pace probably… ROUTE: this morning: 2 miles in and around Juanita Beach Park, across the really long bridge, and back. this evening: 5 miles from apt to Intl School, down 108th St. to Northrup, along the highway to Lakeview Drive, along Kirkland waterfront to 10th, up to 68th and back to apt Hello my name is Carey and it’s been 11 days since my last run. I know, I know. But there’s been lots going on. I mean, for reals. Today though I was up before church and knocked out 2 miles. Had to stop halfway through and take this photo of all the bird watchers gawking at a Bald Eagle perched in this giant tree. I’ve lived here 4 years; Bald Eagle count: 3. All within the last month. After church and a fabulously long work session, I hit the road for another run. I’d planned 4 but decided to knock out 5 miles to get me up near the 7 miles on the docket for today. After the 2 this monring, I wasn’t feeling a thing but now after the 5 more, I can say without a doubt that skipping nearly 2 weeks of training s.u.c.k.s. Back on track today, kids. That’s for damn sure. Half Marathon is in 55 days.
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5/1 MILEAGE: 6.94 mi, 15 min pace probably…

ROUTE: this morning: 2 miles in and around Juanita Beach Park, across the really long bridge, and back. this evening: 5 miles from apt to Intl School, down 108th St. to Northrup, along the highway to Lakeview Drive, along Kirkland waterfront to 10th, up to 68th and back to apt

Hello my name is Carey and it’s been 11 days since my last run. I know, I know. But there’s been lots going on. I mean, for reals. Today though I was up before church and knocked out 2 miles. Had to stop halfway through and take this photo of all the bird watchers gawking at a Bald Eagle perched in this giant tree. I’ve lived here 4 years; Bald Eagle count: 3. All within the last month.

After church and a fabulously long work session, I hit the road for another run. I’d planned 4 but decided to knock out 5 miles to get me up near the 7 miles on the docket for today. After the 2 this monring, I wasn’t feeling a thing but now after the 5 more, I can say without a doubt that skipping nearly 2 weeks of training s.u.c.k.s. Back on track today, kids. That’s for damn sure. Half Marathon is in 55 days.

4/19 MILEAGE: 3.55 mi, 18.32 pace // ELEVATION: 60-372 ft ROUTE: Apt to Intl School, down to right before Carillon Point, along the waterfront, up 10th to Market, back up 68th St to Apt The fact that I was up and running at 7 a.m. is an accomplishment in and of itself. After a total mental breakdown on Sunday and a total lack of willpower and desire to make brownies and watch How I Met Your Mother yesterday, I rallied. Got up early and knocked out 3.55 miles early a.m. today. I feel great. Later today I might even run another 2.5 miles pushing me to 6 miles for today. Legs still feel really shakey, but my attitude is on the up and up. Onward and upward!
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4/19 MILEAGE: 3.55 mi, 18.32 pace // ELEVATION: 60-372 ft

ROUTE: Apt to Intl School, down to right before Carillon Point, along the waterfront, up 10th to Market, back up 68th St to Apt

The fact that I was up and running at 7 a.m. is an accomplishment in and of itself. After a total mental breakdown on Sunday and a total lack of willpower and desire to make brownies and watch How I Met Your Mother yesterday, I rallied. Got up early and knocked out 3.55 miles early a.m. today. I feel great.

Later today I might even run another 2.5 miles pushing me to 6 miles for today. Legs still feel really shakey, but my attitude is on the up and up. Onward and upward!

  4/17 MILEAGE: 1 mi, 22:59 pace ROUTE: down and back a tiny stretch of Alki Beach 6 miles was on the training calendar for Sunday and I totally botched it. I’ve read a lot about how running is a mental game just as much as it is physical. Until this weekend, I thought I had been exercising my mental toughness by pushing through “the wall” round about mile 1.5 or 2. I was wrong. Staring at the 6 on my training calendar didn’t seem to freak me out nearly as much as putting my running shoes on and setting out to see what that feels like. Only a few steps in, Una was acting up, my legs started aching, I was freezing and I had to pee. But I pushed on. About .25 miles later (seriously, that was it), I still had to pee, Una was still distracted and the sidewalk i was running was littered with people out enjoying their Sunday in mass. It was too much. I turned around. I ran back to the car. I got in. I drove away. I felt like a failure. And I had to admit it on facebook where only a few minutes earlier I had touted that I was going for a 6 miler and the “good lucks” and “you go girl” were already starting to roll in. It sucked. I convinced myself that it was because of the Chipotle I had for lunch or the fact that my thighs still hurt a bit from my photo adventure the day before, but it was mental. I didn’t know what 6 miles looked like or felt like. I still don’t. I’ve barely come to terms with 5. But I’m gonna learn. June 25 is right around the corner and there is much work to be done. Note to self: don’t eat Chipotle on long run days. Plan your route in advance and do it in an area you know. And don’t facebook it until it happens. 
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4/17 MILEAGE: 1 mi, 22:59 pace

ROUTE: down and back a tiny stretch of Alki Beach

6 miles was on the training calendar for Sunday and I totally botched it. I’ve read a lot about how running is a mental game just as much as it is physical. Until this weekend, I thought I had been exercising my mental toughness by pushing through “the wall” round about mile 1.5 or 2. I was wrong.

Staring at the 6 on my training calendar didn’t seem to freak me out nearly as much as putting my running shoes on and setting out to see what that feels like. Only a few steps in, Una was acting up, my legs started aching, I was freezing and I had to pee. But I pushed on. About .25 miles later (seriously, that was it), I still had to pee, Una was still distracted and the sidewalk i was running was littered with people out enjoying their Sunday in mass. It was too much. I turned around. I ran back to the car. I got in. I drove away.

I felt like a failure. And I had to admit it on facebook where only a few minutes earlier I had touted that I was going for a 6 miler and the “good lucks” and “you go girl” were already starting to roll in. It sucked. I convinced myself that it was because of the Chipotle I had for lunch or the fact that my thighs still hurt a bit from my photo adventure the day before, but it was mental. I didn’t know what 6 miles looked like or felt like. I still don’t. I’ve barely come to terms with 5. But I’m gonna learn. June 25 is right around the corner and there is much work to be done.

Note to self: don’t eat Chipotle on long run days. Plan your route in advance and do it in an area you know. And don’t facebook it until it happens. 

4/15 MILEAGE: 5.06 mi, 18:12 pace // ELEVATION: 61 to 387 ft ROUTE: apt to backside of international school, down NE 60th to 106th NE then over to NE 68th, down to Carillon Point, along the waterfront to DTK, up 2nd Ave to State Street, back to NE 68th, 106th NE the up NE 60th to 111th NE around international school back to apt. JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Raise Your Glass, Bieber, Forget You, So What, Tainted Love (that’s right!) Pushed through the wall at mile 1.5 or there abouts; legs felt great until mile 4 when they wanted to mutiny. I started too late and had to finish in the dark (sorry mama) but the pup was there to protect/keep me company from the rogue skateboarding teenagers we came upon near the end. Oh and my IT band has decided to rear its ugly head and say a throbbing hello. Well hello to you too, IT band. I wondered when you were going to join the party… all in all a great friday night adventure. now I clean in prep for brunch with the girls tomorrow! PS I’m ready for summer!!
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4/15 MILEAGE: 5.06 mi, 18:12 pace // ELEVATION: 61 to 387 ft

ROUTE: apt to backside of international school, down NE 60th to 106th NE then over to NE 68th, down to Carillon Point, along the waterfront to DTK, up 2nd Ave to State Street, back to NE 68th, 106th NE the up NE 60th to 111th NE around international school back to apt.

JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Raise Your Glass, Bieber, Forget You, So What, Tainted Love (that’s right!)

Pushed through the wall at mile 1.5 or there abouts; legs felt great until mile 4 when they wanted to mutiny. I started too late and had to finish in the dark (sorry mama) but the pup was there to protect/keep me company from the rogue skateboarding teenagers we came upon near the end. Oh and my IT band has decided to rear its ugly head and say a throbbing hello. Well hello to you too, IT band. I wondered when you were going to join the party…

all in all a great friday night adventure. now I clean in prep for brunch with the girls tomorrow!

PS I’m ready for summer!!

4/12 MILEAGE: 2.09 mi, 18:18 pace ROUTE: out and back - apt to international school and down 108th a bit. JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Gangster’s Paradise.* Bonus for getting my 2 miles in early was PANINI night at Gavin’s! French dip paninis and Father of the Bride. I didn’t stay for the movie but the sandwich was delicious. And my calves are mega-sore post-run. Still mega-sore today. No bueno but I do have running on the brain. Today’s a genuine rest day but I’m eager for tomorrow’s 5 miler tempo. *what is this, the 90s?
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4/12 MILEAGE: 2.09 mi, 18:18 pace

ROUTE: out and back - apt to international school and down 108th a bit.

JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Gangster’s Paradise.*

Bonus for getting my 2 miles in early was PANINI night at Gavin’s! French dip paninis and Father of the Bride. I didn’t stay for the movie but the sandwich was delicious. And my calves are mega-sore post-run. Still mega-sore today. No bueno but I do have running on the brain. Today’s a genuine rest day but I’m eager for tomorrow’s 5 miler tempo.

*what is this, the 90s?

4/11 MILEAGE: 4.82 mi, 17:01 pace // ELEVATION VARIATION: 60 to 309 ft ROUTE: Apt to international school - 108th to 68th - down Lakeview Dr. to Carillon Point - Kirkland waterfront to 2nd Ave - up the hill - State St. to other school - 68th back up to apartment. JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Raise Your Glass + Forget You Didn’t hit my wall until mile 2 today, which despite being downhill, was still utterly brutal. Legs cramped up with some major pain at the top of my feet where my legs/feet come together. ouch. But we pushed through. iPhone gave out at 3.62 miles, but map my run says it was just shy of the planned 5 miles. Loved, LOVED the weather today though. Shorts + my new windbreaker = awesome. And the pup had a jolly good time as well.  still trying to figure out the heel/toe or ball of feet running. is one better than the other?
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4/11 MILEAGE: 4.82 mi, 17:01 pace // ELEVATION VARIATION: 60 to 309 ft

ROUTE: Apt to international school - 108th to 68th - down Lakeview Dr. to Carillon Point - Kirkland waterfront to 2nd Ave - up the hill - State St. to other school - 68th back up to apartment.

JAMS: NTB+Pink+LoP Jams // POWERSONG: Raise Your Glass + Forget You

Didn’t hit my wall until mile 2 today, which despite being downhill, was still utterly brutal. Legs cramped up with some major pain at the top of my feet where my legs/feet come together. ouch. But we pushed through. iPhone gave out at 3.62 miles, but map my run says it was just shy of the planned 5 miles. Loved, LOVED the weather today though. Shorts + my new windbreaker = awesome. And the pup had a jolly good time as well. 

still trying to figure out the heel/toe or ball of feet running. is one better than the other?

4/8 MILEAGE: 2.39 mi, 20:27 pace // ELEVATION VARIATION: 76 to 100 ft ROUTE: in and around Marymoor Park - the regular park part and the off leash dog park area. JAMS: LoPresto’s Jams, Pink, Needtobreathe // Powersong: None. blah. couldn’t find a groove I was in some serious pain on Friday and this scheduled 3 mile run didn’t go all that well. Achy legs and a major headache, but it’s 2.39 miles more than I had run on Thursday, so I guess, it’s all good. 
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4/8 MILEAGE: 2.39 mi, 20:27 pace // ELEVATION VARIATION: 76 to 100 ft

ROUTE: in and around Marymoor Park - the regular park part and the off leash dog park area.

JAMS: LoPresto’s Jams, Pink, Needtobreathe // Powersong: None. blah. couldn’t find a groove

I was in some serious pain on Friday and this scheduled 3 mile run didn’t go all that well. Achy legs and a major headache, but it’s 2.39 miles more than I had run on Thursday, so I guess, it’s all good.